Big Fruits Of A Cinema Season Of ‘ Renewed Hope’

023 turned out the year Nollywood came alive considering its performance on the local and international scene across genre and across platforms. From starting the year at the cinema with Toyin Abraham’s Ijakumo, to the wave making Shanty Town and A Sunday Affair, which streamed on Netflix, not forgetting, Brotherhood and The Trade, which streamed on Prime Video after impressive theatrical runs. It was also the year of Gangs of Lagos, Orisa, Jagun Jagun and the ground breaking movie by Editi Effiong, The Black Book. 2023 was also the year moviegoers were served high end productions such as She Must Be Obeyed, Ijogbon, the thriller Madam Koi Koi, which streamed on Netflix, Blood Vessel, War on Netflix, the critically acclaimed Afamefuna, the impressive trio of Ada Omo Daddy, Malaika and A Tribe Called Judah, which shattered available box office records. A Tribe Called Judah closed its cinema run with a box office earning of N1.3 billion. In the most biting year economically, the box office performance of A Tribe Called Judah is an indication that there is enormous potential in the Nigerian market even with the limited screens ( 303 against Indian’s 9,382). The spotlight is on the big fruits of a cinema season of renewed hope.

Producer/ Director: Jade Osiberu

AILED as a Nigerian gangster crime thriller, Gang of Lagos premiered on Amazon Prime in April of 2023 as the first Amazon original movie from Africa. Starring AMAA award best actor for 2023, Tobi Bakre and top actors such as, Adesua Etomi, Chioma Chukwuka, Toyin Abraham, Yvonne Jegede and Yinka Quadri, Gangs of Lagos follows a group of friends whose lives have revolved around crime and violence since their childhood in the Isale Eko area of Lagos, Nigeria. A young boy, Obalola, robs a bag from a woman in traffic with his friend, an act which results in a summons from the king of the streets, known as ‘ Eleniyan’ or ‘ Owner of Men’, who lauds his confidence and ability. Amazed by his intellect and courage, a gang leader named ' Nino' ( played by Tayo Faniran) shows interest and immediately becomes a father figure to him. Unfortunately, Nino is later found dead, and the dream he has for Obalola ( Tobi Bakre) and his friends, Ify and Gift ( played by Adesua Etomi), dies with him, as the trio begin to work for his partner Kazeem ( Olarotimi Fakunle), a greedy and ruthless leader. As adults, they continue to play different roles in the gang, until things go sideways when Kazeem murders a rival gang member and pins it on Ify. With Ify's surviving friends hellbent on revenge, Obalola discovers several skeletons in Kazeem's closet. Determined to avenge all the loved ones whom Kazeem's greed has taken from him, Oba leads a bloody gang war to seek revenge. Gang of Lagos was well received but the depiction of the Adamu Orisa ( Eyo Masquerades) in the movie as gangsters pitched the producers of the movie against the Lagos state government and traditional institutions in Lagos. It is not clear how the issue was eventually resolved.

HProducer: Toyin Abraham

JAKUMO ( The Born Again Stripper) is a suspense- filled thriller had its theatrical release on December 23, 2022 but it retained a top spot on the charts up until 2023 when it ended its cinema run. Ijakumo tells the story of Asabi, the daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is hell- bent on destroying the life of her ex- lover, a now renowned Lagos big pastor, Jide, who cheated her and left her to die. Pastor Jide, who also is not a true man of God, but belongs to some sort of cabal that commits all sorts of atrocity. In her quest to destroy Pastor Jide, she seeks for the help of Sharon, a stripper and a church choir who Jide now

Ibegins to lust after to destroy him. The film stars an ensemble cast including Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Lolade Okusanya, Bimbo Akintola and Olumide Owuru. The film was scripted by Kehinde Joseph and directed by Adebayo Tijani.

Producer: Mercy Aigbe

TARRING the delectable Omowunmi Dada, Tayo Faniran, Funke Akindele and Nkechi Blessing, Ada Omo Daddy was one of the three impressive titles released at the tail of 2023. It reportedly grossed over 150 million naira in box office earning. The story revolves round Ireti. The stability of her family is threatened when she receives an unexpected call from Ifeanyi, her long- lost ex- husband on her daughter's introduction day. As the family counts down to the wedding, Ifeanyi mounts pressure on Ireti; he wants to meet his daughter and he wants to walk his daughter down the aisle. The bride’s world comes crashing down as she learns that her loving daddy is not her biological father, and she is torn between loyalty to the man, who raised her and the one that gave birth to her. Ada Omo

SDaddy is Mercy Aigbe’s first theatrical effort.

Writer and Director: BB Sasore

RITTEN and directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor, Breath of Life, a 2023 Nigerian engaging drama was released on November 15, 2023, as an Amazon Prime Video original film. It was the closing film at the 2023 edition of the Africa International Film Festival ( AFRIFF). The movie, which has been very well received, is narrated by Elijah, the story follows Timi, a young man who excelled academically, spoke 16 languages and became the first African clergyman in the Church of England. After marrying Bridget and having a daughter, he returns to Nigeria, leading a fulfilling life until tragedy strikes. His family falls victim to Baby Fire, a local thug, leading to a series of tragic events that turn Timi into a recluse. The film later introduces Elijah, who changes Timi's life and helps him rediscover his faith and purpose. The movie stars top rated actors such as Wale Ojo, Eku Edewor, Ademola Adedoyin and Chimezie Imo.

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